MONROE COUNTY, Ala.— A Monroe County deputy sheriff was killed in a car crash in the early hours of Tuesday morning while responding to a burglary.

The officer was identified as deputy Julius Dailey by Monroe County Deputy Sheriff’s Office.

“He was easily recognized by the big smile he kept on his face,” said a post on the sheriff office’s Facebook page Tuesday morning. “Please keep Jay’s young daughter, his family, his friends, our communities, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.”

It’s not yet known how the crash occurred.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as new information becomes available.

With a heavy heart, Monroe County Sheriff Tom Boatwright regrets to inform that we have lost the life of one of our own....